Special forces veterans have abseiled down a Grade II listed building in Bloomsbury as part of an operation to evict squatters.
Bailiffs hired the Specialist Group International to empty the property in central London in a raid that resembled the SAS operation to end the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege.
The building has been used as a conference centre and a wedding venue and is on the market at a rent of £295,000 a year.
Peter Faulding, a Parachute Regiment veteran who founded the company, said: “We were brought in by the bailiffs because we deal with situations other people can’t.”
However, he added: “It probably looked a bit like the siege but, like anything military, it’s all about safety. The main reason is to prevent them getting on to the roof or balconies of the property. You just have to be caring and treat everyone the same, give them a smile and help them safely get out. We’ve never had any problems as a result.”
Faulding said the building, which was built in 1887 for the College of Preceptors, had been “trashed” by the squatters, who have been there since May.
